Feel First, Write Second

Send us Fan MailSometimes when we ask depressing questions like, “What’s the point?” or “Why should I bother?” it’s helpful to actually find an answer. 

Send us Fan MailWriting teaches that what or who we like is way more interesting and important than who likes us or our stories. 

Send us Fan MailYou may not know much, but you do know what you love. If you love the story you’ve written, let it be your guide through the wide publishing waters.

Send us Fan MailPeople spend a lot of time and money searching for meaning their life. The beauty of writing is we often find it there by ourselves in our workroom facing a blank 

Send us Fan MailMy second favorite writing rule: feel first, write second. Our stories are never about what happens, but how our characters feel when something happens. 

Send us Fan MailDepth comes from looking at our role, or our protagonist’s role, in the conflict. It’s true in stories, and it’s true in life. 

Send us Fan MailThere’s no such thing as a hard truth. Whether it’s the story you’re telling on the page or to yourself about yourself, the truth is always effortless and friendly, if we allow it.

Send us Fan MailWhen writing about something you’ve never expressed before, go slow and get the language right. Most disagreement grows from careless language.

Send us Fan MailSometimes you might feel like you spend all your time taking care of things. The question writing asks is: what do you care about 

Send us Fan MailWriting teaches to care about our choices. Every word in every sentence is a choice you’ve made, just as every thought you think or action you take.